SPURLOCK, Joyce Ellen

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ December 23, 2010 Joyce Ellen Spurlock, 90, died Dec. 15, 2010. She was born July 10, 1920, to James and Esther May Rice in LaPorte, Ind. She was a registered nurse and received her training in South Bend, Ind. She worked many years as a registered nurse and loved her career. She relocated to St. Johns where her husband worked for Salt River Project. Joyce loved crafts, especially ceramics. For many years Joyce organized the annual St. Johns' Senior Citizens Christmas banquet. Joyce was active with the Relief Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She loved to play cards and games with members of her church and to spend time with her dear friends Ila and Ken Pulsipher. In her later years, she resided in Mesa. Joyce was well known for loving animals, especially dogs; she always had a special place in her heart for small dogs. She and Jack always had Chihuahuas; her last dog being well known, Chotsie. She never left home without her dogs by her side. Joyce will be greatly missed by all her family and friends. Joyce is survived by her sister, Marian Jean (Robert Gustave) Rose; niece Sue (David) Lemke-Baum, and their children: Andrew Lemke, John Baum and Jeffrey Baum; niece Marla (Mark) Smith and their children: Timothy Naughton, Alicia Naughton and Kimberly Smith. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 35 years, Jack Hubert Spurlock, and her son Michael Landgraf. A special heartfelt thanks to Mesa Elder Care and Hospice of Arizona in Scottsdale and all of their employees who took such good care of her. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Arizona Humane Society in Phoenix, in her memory. Funeral services were held Saturday, Dec. 18, in St. Johns at the Downtown Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Interment followed at the St. Johns Westside Cemetery. Burnham Mortuary of St. Johns handled arrangements. To send an online condolence, visit www.burnhammortuary.com.